Sewing-machine



t e e h s w e e h s 2 N HE m TU m LA M LI .W E 0 m d 0 M 0 6 No.521,377. Patented June 12, 1894.

WITNESSES:

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G. F. LITTLEJOHN.

SEWING MAOHINE.

Patented June 12,

(No Model.)

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ATTORNEYS.

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ITED STATES PATENT rrrcn.

CHARLES F. LITTLEJOHN, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT. V

SEWING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 521,377, dated June12,1894.

Application filed March 2, 1 893- T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. LITTLEJOHN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State ofConnecticut, have invented a new and usefullmprovement inSewing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of sewing machines by which theflossing or ornamental stitching of fabrics of various kinds isefiected, for instance, on corsets, vests,susponders, &c., and myinvention consists in means fully set forth hereinafter whereby themachine may be arrested at any time by the operator with the presserfoot in an elevated position, but without any shock or noise, andwhereby the sewing operations may be resumed when required, to which endand also for the purpose of securing other advantages,

'1 construct the machine as fully set forth hereinafter and asillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 representsan elevation of a sewing machine having my improvements embodied inconnection therewith, the said view being taken from the side oppositethat on which the operator sits, and having the covering plate of theinclosing case or shell removed, so as to more clearly indicate theinterior disposition of the operating shaft and its several connections.Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the machine with a part of the shell orcasing cut out so as to show the usual arrangement of spring whichsurrounds the presser foot rod and against which said rod works wheneverthe presser foot is elevated. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail viewrepresenting a portion of the main operating shaft, together with theclutch and driving pulley in elevation. Fig. 4 is a view in detailrepresenting the main shaft in section, and the cam and yoke, whichco-operate with the lifting devices, in elevation. Fig. 5 is a sectionaldetail taken longitudinally through the clutch and stop devices, to moreclearly indicate the arrangement and operation of the devices forefiecting the engagement and release of the parts during operation. Fig.6 is a View in detail to more clearly indicate the construction of theupper end of the rod which automatically efiects engagement anddisengagement of the clutch and stop mechanisms. Fig.

Serial No. 464,440. (No model.)

7 is an inner face view of the driving pulley, showing the constructionby which the same is caused to be engaged by the clutch devices.

My improvement may be embodied in ma chines of different characters andI have shown the same in connection with an ordinary form of machine inwhich there is a base or bed, 1, inclosing the usual shuttle mechanismnot shown, an overhanging arm, 2, aneedle bar 50, and a presser foot bar5, supporting a presser foot 4, with a spring 6, which tends to throwdown the presser footbar. In the construction shown, there is a maindriving shaft, 3, which is supported in bearings in the overhanging armand is provided with a crank 6 connected'by a rod 7 with the shuttlemechanism. There is also a thread controlling lever, 5l,operated by acam, 52, upon the shaft 3. In this character of machine, whereornamental stitchingis produced, it is of course necessary that theoperator shall be enabled to stop the machine at a moment when thepresser foot is 0E of the cloth,so that the latter may be moved prior tostarting the machine again; and it is extremely desirable to have theseoperations under absolute control, free from any uncertainty, and it isalso extremely desirable to stop and start the machine without anyjerks, abrupt movements, or noise. To this end, and further to insuresimplicity of construction and economy in manufacture, as well as otheradvantages, I combine with the parts already described or similar partsin other machines of different constructions, means for lifting thepresser foot at each revolution of the shaft, and meansfor arresting theshaft in the position which it occupies when the presser foot' iselevated, together with means for stopping and starting the shaft at anymoment as desiredby the operator without shock.

The elevation of the presser foot at each operation is effected throughthe medium of connections between the shaft 3 and the presser foot bar5, as for instance, a lever 9,

pivoted to a bracket, 8, at the top of the arm 2, connected at itsforward end with the bar 5, and at its rear end with a frame, 10, havingfoot, depress the frame and elevate the front end of the arm 9 and thebar 5.

The cam 52, or other device for operating the take up 51, is so arrangedas to effect the requisite draft upon the thread at the proper momentsin time with the movements of the other parts.

In order that when the machine is stopped by the operator it shall bearrested with the presser foot 1 in an elevated position, I make use ofa clutch device A, which is arranged upon the main shaft 3, so that theclutch dc vice, the crank, the means for operating the presser foot barand for operating the needle bar, and the thread controller are'allcarried by the shaft 3 in line with each other upon the overhanging arm,access can be had to all of said parts readily, complication and expenseof construction are avoided and friction is reduced to a minimum.

As shown, the shaft carries one part a of the clutch device, which partis a hub, 13, having an annular groove 15 near one end and two annularflanges, 14, 14 with the groove 15 between them, said part a beingclamped firmly to or forming a part of the shaft 3. The other part hotthe clutch device is the driving wheel 22, having a V- shaped groove toreceive the driving belt, operated from any suitable source, the saiddriving wheel turning upon the hub, 13, and

independently of the latter except when the shaft 3 is to be operated.

In order to connect the two parts a and b of the clutch together and todisconnect them, I make use of any suitable bolt, as for instance, asliding bolt, 18, having two bits, 16, 17 and an intermediate radialshoulder y, the bit 17, extending through an opening in the flange 14; aspring, 21 connected to the end of the part a bearing on the end of thebolt and tending to force it toward the left, Fig. 5. The bolt 18 slidesin a longitudinal slot 19, in the clutch, so that when it is forward,the bit 16 will not engage the shoulder a: of the part Z2. It will beobserved that the said bit 17, is slightly inclined away from the bit16, this construction forming aspace 20, between the bit and the inneredge of flange 1 1 into which space the end of the wedge is receivedwhen the latter is caused to be elevated. The said bolt is located in agroove 19, formed in the hub portion of the part a, of the clutch and ispermitted to work back and forth therein in the manner and for thepurpose stated. The end of the bolt projecting through the flange 14, isthat part against which the spring 21, bears. In the face of the drivingwheel 22, constituting the part b of the clutch is a curved groove 22 ofgradually increas ing depth, extending around the central opening ofsaid part b, for about one-half the dis tance and terminating in anabrupt shoulder 00. When the driving wheel 22 is turned in the directionof the arrow, Fig. 7, and the bolt or slide 18 is in the position shownin Fig. 5, the bolt and the hub, 13 and the shaft 3 are all carried withthe driving wheel, and the sewing operations of the machine areeffected. When it is necessary to arrest the operations of the machinewith the presser foot elevated from the fabric, this may be done byshifting the bolt 13 to the right, so as to carry the bit 16, away fromthe shoulder on. Different appliances may be used for enabling theoperator to thus shift the bolt as required, and to shift it so that themachine will cease its operations with the foot in its elevatedposition. The means shown consists of a movable curved wedge 33, whichis carried by a rod 30, and which rod has an abrupt shoulder 34 at thepoint of intersection thereof with the wedge, the outer or straight faceof latter normally lying against the inner face of the flange 14 of parta, and best shown in Fig. 3; but when the machine is in operation therod 30 and the wedge are lowered, as shown in Fig. 3, so that therotation of the driving wheel and connected parts does not bring thebolt into contact with the wedge. When, however, the machine is to bearrested, the rod 30 is elevated so that at the next revolution of theparts, the sharp edge of the wedge 33 will enter thespace to between theshoulder 11 of the bolt and the inner edge or face of the flange 1 1 ofpart a, and as the revolution is continued, the shoulder 3 bearing onthe inclined face of the wedge will cause the bolt to be thrown to theright until the bit, 16 is carried away from the shoulder as, and thedriving wheel or part b of the clutch can revolve without carrying withit the hub, 13 and the shaft 3.

It will be evident that it would be impossible, to insure any absoluteprecision of movement so as to cause the shaft 3 to cease its operationswith the presser foot up by merely depending upon disconnecting the bit16 and the shoulder 00. I therefore provide a shoulder 3 1 of the wedge33 in such position that the bit 17 of the bolt will strike the shoulder31, when the shaft 3 is in such position-that the presser foot 1 iselevated from the fabric, but the parts are so arranged that the bit, 16will be carried away from the shoulder a: before the bit 17 strikes theshoulder 34:, so that the bolt is not driven with the full power of thedriving wheel against the shoulder, and an abrupt movement and a suddenshock are prevented. In order that the part a, of the clutch will becarried around with absolute certainty to engage the shoulder or stop34, as the wedge is moved up to separate the part b, from said part a, Iprovide for a frictional contact or bearing between the driver or partb, and the parts driven thereby, to Wit, the part a, and

the driving shaft; the construction and op-- eration of such frictionaldevices being presently explained. Different frictional connectionsbetween these parts may be provided as will be evident to an y skilledmechanic, thus, in the hub 23 of the driving wheel22,1 make recesses inwhich are placed springs 26, and pins 25, the ends of which bear upon adisk IOO or cap 28 on the end of the hub 13 with greater or lesspressure accordingly as the cap is carried nearer to or farther'from theend of the hub by means of a bolt 27, an angular projection on the hub13 extending into a recess in the cap and preventing the latter fromturning, with respect to the part b. It should be remarked that thefriction produced by the wedge entering between the bit 17 and side offlange 14, tends in a measure to check the speed of the main-shaft, andsometimes the bit 16, is carried away from shoulder as, before the bit17, is brought against the shoulder 34, of the wedge. .It will thereforebe evident from the construction described that while the bit 16 iscarried away from the shoulder 00 before the bit 17is brought againstthe shoulder'34, there still will be sufficient frictional connectionbetween the driving wheel'and the hub 13 to cause the latter to revolveand overcome the retarding tendency of the wed ge and presser-footmechanism and thereby bring the bit 17 against the shoulder 34, butwithout the shock which would otherwise result. Further, thefrictionalscontact between the driving wheel and the driven part of theclutch will prevent the spring 6 from throwing down the presser footwhich otherwise might result if the shaft and its hub were entirelydisconnected from the driving wheel before the bit 17 was broughtagainst the shoulder 34.. I

Any suitable means maybe employed for raising and lowering the wedge 33at the will of the operator. As shown the rod 30 slides in a bracket 29carried by the arm 2 of the machine, and a spring 31 bearing upon thebracket and on the shoulder 3:2 upon the rod 30 serves to normallyelevate the part, while a rod l0 may extend to a treadle 41 or to anyother suitable device for enabling the operator, to depress the rod.

When operations are to be renewed, the wedge 33 is lowered when thespring 21' will push out the bolt to the left and its bit 16 will bearon the inclined face of the recess 22 gradually moving outward until itstrikes theshoulder 0c, the friction between the end of the bit and theinclined face causing the parts to be carried to a certain extent withthe part b of the clutch thereby lessening the shock of the contactbetween the bit and shoulder.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a sewing machine of the character de scribed, the combination ofthe main shaft and its driving mechanism, the -presser-foot and needlebar, and their operating mechanisms, and connections between the drivingmechanism and the main shaft so constructed and arranged relatively tothe presser-foot and needle bar mechanisms as to automatically andpositively arrest the needle bar and presser-foot in an elevatedposition on the stopping of the machine at any stage in the operation ofstitching, as set forth.

2. In a sewing machine, the combination of the presser foot and its bar,the needle-bar, operating shaft and connections, means for elevatingsaid presser-foot and needle-bar at each revolution of the shaft, and adriving pulley and a clutch device between the pulley and shaftcomprising independent frictional connections between the driving partof the clutch device and the said shaft, substantially as described.

3. In a sewing machine, the combination of the presser-foot bar, meansforlifting the foot at each revolution of the shaft, operating shaft andconnections, and a driving pulley and a clutch device between the pulleyand shaft,

comprising independent frictional connections between the driving partof the clutch device and the said shaft,substantially as described.

4. In a sewing machine, the combination of the main shaft, the presserfoot and its bar, a lever and the connection from the shaft foroperating said presser foot and the bar to lift the same at eachrevolution of the shaft, and a clutch device between the driver and themain shaft, consisting of two parts and a bolt, means for disengagingthe clutch parts, and independent frictional driving connections betweenthe driving part of said clutch and the main shaft to advance the lattera predetermined distance after the clutch parts have been disconnected,substantially as described.

5. In a sewing machine the combination of the main shaft and means foroperating the same, the presser foot and its bar, a lever for operatingsaid presser foot and bar to lift the same. at each revolution of theshaft, a yoke operating saidlever from the shaft, means on the shaft foroperating the yoke, and a clutch device between the driver and the mainshaft, consisting of two parts and'an intermediate bolt, and means forshifting said bolt to disconnect it from one of the parts and means forelevating the presser foot after the shifting of said bolt, and as themachine stops, substantially as described.

6. In a sewingmachine, the combination with the main shaft and means foroperating the same, the presser foot and its bar, a lever andconnections from the shaft for operating said presser-foot and bar atregular intervals, and a clutch between the main-shaft driver and mainshaft consisting of two parts and a bolt, means for shifting the bolt,and a shoulder or bearing arranged to be struck by the bolt as thepresser foot reaches its elevated position, substantially as described.

7. The combination of the shaftdriver, presser-foot and connections andmeans for driving the same, of a clutch device between the driver andshaft havinga partot carrying a bolt, a partb and means for driving thelatter, frictional connections between said driver and shaft, and meansfor shifting the bolt im too mediately before the resser-foot iselevated, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination of the shaft-driver, presser-foot and means foroperating the same to lift it at each revolution, and a clutch betweenthe driver and main shaft consisting of the parts a, b, and bolt havingashoulder, and a movable wedge having a shoulder 34, and means forshifting the position of the wedge to engage the bolt immediately beforethe presser-foot reaches its elevated position,substantially asdescribed.

9. In a sewing machineof the character described, the combination of themain shaft and its driving mechanism, the presser foot and its rod,alever and connections for op-j crating said presser foot and rod tolift the same at each revolution of the main shaft, the needle bar anditsoperatingmechanism, j and connections between the driving mechanismand the main shaft so arranged relatively to the presser foot and needlebar mechan. isms, as to automatically and positively arrest the needlebar andpresser footin an elevated position, substantially as set forth.

10. In a sewing machine of the character described, the combination withthe main shaft and means for operating the same, the presser-foot andits bar, and a lever for operating said foot and bar, connectionsbetween said lever and the main shaft for vibrating the same, of theclutch ring, the bolt orslide 18 working therein and formed with thebits 16and 17, the spring plate attached to the side of said clutch ringand normally pressing the bolt inward, the drive pulley having theinclined groove or recess on its inner side, and the spring-actuated rodhaving its upper portion beveled or inclined and formed with the stop orshoulder, the said rod being normally maintained :upward,substantiallyas described.

11. In a sewing machine of the character described, the combination ofthe main shaft,

presser-foot and bar, and operatinglever, connections between said leverand main shaft for vibrating the same,of the clutch and stop mechanismconsisting of the hub formed or provided with the clutch ring, the drivepulley, the spring cushion or cap bearing against saiddrive pulley, andadjustable with respect thereto, the spring bolt working in said hub,and the spring-actuated rod 30 formed at its upper-portion with a curvedand beveled member and GOUStIllCtGd'WliIh the stop 34:, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES F. LITTLEJOHN.

IVitnesses:

EDWARD E. ELLIS,

ELBERT O. HULL.

